As I try to begin a career in freelance educational content production and editing in earnest, I find that I’m faced with the unease of starting something new. I need to market myself and my skills, which generally leaves me feeling overwhelmed and sick to my stomach.
I know that I am a capable and competent writer and that I have expertise in some areas (namely social and emotional learning). This isn’t enough to get a career off the ground, however. I need to have connections. And to make connections I need to network… and sell myself.
UGH networking and selling myself. Both of those things make me extra super uncomfortable!
So my question as I got started was: How on earth do I sell myself as a writer, copy editor, and curriculum developer?
The answer didn’t excite me.
Lots of sites said I should start working on my social media strategy. I’ve been a casual social media user since the days of MySpace, but have mostly kept to personal updates on Facebook intended for my close friends and family. I’ve dabbled in Instagram and Twitter, but haven’t really found footing there yet. LinkedIn has always been a bit of a mystery to me, honestly! I have posted a couple things there but I have no idea what I’m doing.
Which leads me to this:
I have no idea what I’m doing with my “social media strategy” in general.
I’ve never had a social media strategy — and venturing out on this with no experience scares me. I can feel my anxiety start to creep in.
It makes me want to not even start.
Here are the questions that swirl around in my head, especially when I think about making short-form videos like Instagram Reels:
What could I possibly say that anyone would care about?
How can I ever come up with enough content related to the subjects I write about on my blog?
Will all of this effort actually help me?
How do I ensure the privacy and safety of my family?
Do I even want videos of myself out there for all to see?
I don’t know the answers to any of these questions. But I do know that if I don’t try it, I’ll never know.
So, I’ve decided to just start, and to make the fumbles and failures along the way a part of my exploration on my blog. This will be an exercise in self-compassion for sure! It will likely be a long and bumpy road, and I need to be kind to myself.
Maybe my social media strategy will fizzle and I’ll never get it truly off the ground. On the other hand, maybe it’ll be something I find enjoyable and that others eventually connect with.
I’m going to hope for the best on this one, but if the worst happens (what’s the worst that could happen?!) I’ll be okay, too.
Here’s what I’ve done so far:
Made a content calendar (that I’m already behind on! Haha)
Listed blog ideas
Listed reel ideas
Started a few blog drafts (including this one)
Listing things and making plans always makes me feel better when I don’t want to start something.
What do you do when you’re afraid to start something new?
I’d love for you to share in the comments!